Its proponents call it a way to promote Florida as a golfing tourism destination — a place that can host major championships — and to provide jobs.

Yet, we wonder whether a legislative proposal to add five or more Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses to state parks on the east coast, around Nicklaus' Florida home in Palm Beach County, really fits the bill for two other important public policy points — environmental protection and austerity.

Was Jack Nicklaus Trail, the name for this string of projects, nice or a need?

We say "was" rather than "is" because the dubious idea, advanced by Palm Beach lawmakers in Tallahassee, has been withdrawn.

Now politicians and pundits alike, as at least one columnist, for the Orlando Sentinel, was quick to point out, will have to search for a new worst idea of the year.

Thank goodness for access to public records that outlined all this for the public. Lawmakers beyond the east coast knew their constituents would be watching for their votes. That is what this week, Sunshine Week for the media and its clients — viewers and readers — is all about.

Constituents would have wanted to know why Florida needs more golf courses in the middle of public preserves on the public's dime — named for a pro golfer from Ohio.